This story-based lesson presents information on the early investigation into solar and cosmic X-rays, as well as the scientists working in pursuit of X-ray detection and imaging, that set the stage for a program of space-based astronomy. The lesson...(View More) is narrated by Dr. Herbert Friedman, and includes information on his work, as well as his childhood, home life, and interests while a college student.(View Less)

This is a booklet containing 31 problem sets that involve a variety of math skills, including scientific notation, simple algebra, and calculus. Each set of problems is contained on one page. Learners will use mathematics to explore varied space...(View More) science topics including black holes, ice on Mercury, a mathematical model of the Sun's interior, sunspots, the heliopause, and coronal mass ejections, among many others.(View Less)

In this learning assessment, students demonstrate understanding of the following concepts: solids, liquids and gases, changes of state, convection, and density. Students create a skit where the actors and actresses are molecules, and dramatize,...(View More) through body motions, how the behavior of molecules results in the observable changes we see. A detailed scoring rubric is included with the resource. The investigation supports material presented in chapter 3 "What Heats the Earth's Interior?" in the textbook, Energy flow, part of Global System Science, an interdisciplinary course for high school students that emphasizes how scientists from a wide variety of fields work together to understand significant problems of global impact.(View Less)

This is a lesson about the design and operation of an ion propulsion engine. Learners will study the essential components and variables of an ion propulsion system. Activities include an on-line ion propulsion engine simulation and design. Included...(View More) are changes in energy and fuel consumption as a result of variable changes (dependent/independent variable relationships). This is activity 5 of 5 in Structure and Properties of Matter: Ion Propulsion.(View Less)

This is an extension activity to "DAWN: Find a Meteorite." Learners will use a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to look at a piece of the meteorite and try to determine if it has the Widemenstatten texture, chondrules, and/or a unique chemical...(View More) signature.(View Less)

In this problem-based learning (PBL) activity, students take on the role of a student research scientist and explore the role of solar energy in determining climate, focusing on the urban heat island effect. Students conduct research and compare...(View More) temperatures between two cities, and determine the factors that are responsible for the difference exhibited between them. The lesson is supported by teacher notes, answer key, glossary and an appendix with information about using PBL in the classroom. This is the third of three activities in Investigating the Climate System: Energy, a Balancing Act, and serves as an authentic assessment for all three modules.(View Less)